Turn-table connection for electric railways



(No Model.)

R. M. HUNTER. TURN TABLE CONNEGTION'FOR ELECTRIC RAILWAYS.

No. 468,912. Patented Peb. 16, 1892.

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, V UNITED STATES PATE T OFFICE.

RUDOLPH M. HUNTER, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR, BY MESNEASSIGNMENTS, TO THE THOMSON-HOUSTON ELECTRIC COMPANY,

OF CONNECTICUT.

TURN-TABLE CONNECTION FOR ELECTRIC RAILWAYS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent NO. 468,912, dated.February 16, 1892. Original application filed February 17, 1886, SerialNo. 192,187. Divided and this application filed May 21, 1888. Serial No-(No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, RUDOLPH M. HUNTER, of the city and county ofPhiladelphia, and State of Pennsylvania, have invented an Improvement inElectric Railways, (Case 59,)of

which the following is a specification.

My invention has reference to electric railways; and it consists ofcertain improvements, fully set forth in the following specification andshown-in the accompanying drawings,

which form part thereof.

This application (No. 59) is a division (A) of my application filedFebruary 17, 1886, Se rial No. 192,187.

I 5 The improvements herein particularly set out are those relating. toturn-tables and swing or pivot bridges for electric railways.

In carrying out my invention I provide a turn-table or swing-bridge orswitch device by which a car of an electric railway may be shifted to abranch track or turned end for end on the main line, and in which whenthe turn-table or bridge turns the electric current. passing through itsworking conductors always remains the same in polarity as thecorresponding working conductor of the main line or branch. In the caseof an ordinary turn-table, the electric-supply conductors to the workingconductors on the turn-table or switch may be connected directly fromthe main-line conductors; but in the case of a swing-bridge I prefer totake them under the river and bring them up through the pivot-pier ofthe bridge. This would obviate the necessity of making directconnections between the working conductor on the .main track and thebridge-conductors, and

also the necessity of providing make-andbreak devices for shunting thecurrent around the bridge-conductors when the bridge was open.

It is evident that my invention is equally applicable torailway-switches where the conductors are moved without all thesuperstruct: ure and appendages of a turn-table, which is, broadlyconsidered, but a type ofswitch.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is an elevation of a swing or pivot bridgeadapted to an electric railway and embodying my invention.

Fig. 2 is an elevation of a turn-table for an electric railway embodyingmy invention. Fig. 3 is a plan view of my turn-table or switch, showingit in preferred connection with main and branch tracks, and alsoprovided with an electric motor to rotate it; and Fig. 4 is across-section of the conduit and conductors, taken on line a", x of Fig.3.

This invention is adapted to series, multiple, or series-multiplemethods of operating the motors.

Referring to Fig. 1, we have a swing-bridge m, having positive andnegative working conductors B and C, arranged parallel and adapted tosupply current to the traveling electric motors. These conductors B C onthe bridge are in line withthe corresponding main-line conductors B andC when the bridge is closed, but have no direct connection with them.The bridge has acommutator n at its center and adapted to be operated bythe movements of the bridge. The main conductors C C on each side ofthebridge are connected by a wire at, and the other conductors B Bconnect with the two brushes of the coinmutator n'by wires'n tions arerespectively connected with the bridge-conductors B C by wires n and theconductors B C may be connected by a resistance S sufficient to causecurrent to pass through a motor on the bridge to propel it slowly. Inplace of this resistance an electric switch, such as shown in Fig. 2,may be used, or the connections maybe made as shown in Fig. 3. It willbe observed that the wires 07. n are below the river and the main-trackconductors and bridge-conductors are always in circuit and yet do notinterfere with the movements of the bridge. By sinking the wires n n andemploying the devices shown no mechanical connection need be made at theterminals of the bridge-conductors and those of the main track.

Referring to Fig. 2, we have substantially the same construction, onlyin this case the mechanism is adapted to a turn-table. In 5 this casethe conductors B and C on the turn-table are connected through a switcha, as shown, which, when a car is on the turn- The commutator-sec 75 Itable, is caused to open, making the current pass through the motor onthe car. The switch is automatic in its action to electrically connect Band O the instant the car has run ofi theturn-table. An y suitable formof switch may be used.

able to series and series-multiple systems, but may be used on ordinarymultiple systems. It will be noticed that the commutator n is simplyemployed to commutate the line-currents in such a manner that they shallalways pass through the movable conductors, so as to make them of thesame polarity and insure the current passing through the motor in onedirection irrespective 'of the turning of the movable conductors.When-the turn-table or bridge is turned end for end, its conductors arereversed with respect to the stationary line conductors, and thecommutator automatically couples them with the linecondnctors in a wayto maintain the current flowing through the motor passing over saidmovable conductors in the same direction in which itwas flowing throughthe motors whe n on the stationary line conductors. The direction ofcurrent is shown by the arrows in Fig. 2. Now should the turn-table beturned end for end conductor B would come in line with conductors O andO in line with conductor The commutatorwould then cause the currentflowing from B to pass by n and a around switch a to B, and by n and nto continuation of line Ben the other side-of the turn-table. However,the instant a car runs on the turn-table the current would pass throughtheswitch-magnet a to O, a'ndthen through the motor to B, and byconductors n n to line, as before. In all cases the current flowsthrough the motor in the same direction. The commutator shown is adivided ring with contact-brushes. It may be made in any suitablemanner.

Referring now to Fig. 3, we have the turntable m,'provided, as before,with the positive and negative conductors B C,.adapted to come into linewith the conductors B and C on the "tracks N N, of which there may be anumber radiating from the turn-table, which may be used to "turn themotor around or switch it from one track to another. In this figure theconductors are'shown as in a slotted conduit 0, having theslot d at thetop, (see Fig. 4,) and this conduit may continue through the turn-tableor bridge. As shown, the corresponding main-line and branch-lineconductors B O are connected in parallel by wires 07.. The conductorsB Oon the turntable are connected to thetwo sections of the commutator n,as bet'ore,.but being connected with the main conductors B and O inparallel they are not connected to a conductor of one polarity, asbefore. The current from the main conductors B and C or the wires n areconveyed to the commutator by conductors N and their brushes. By thismeans all of the conductorsB B and O O would be con- In the cases ofFigs. '1 and 2 the connections are particularly suitnected in parallel.The turn-table or bridge may have a rack M, with which a pinion F on theshaft of the electric motor f meshes to rotate the turn-table. Themot'orf may be in parallel with the conductors B O by circuit T, havinga switch t to put it in or out of ac tion. It is immaterial to myinvention how these lines on the turn-table or bridge are coupled up, itonly being necessary to keep the proper polarity of current on the righta main lineand one or more branch tracks,

each provided-with an electric conductor parallel to and independent ofthe track-rails, a centrally pivoted turn table or bridge arranged inthe path of said mainline and provided with'track-rails, and an electricconductor parallel to and independent of the said rails, an d means tosupply electric current to the conductors of the main line and branchtracks and turn-table-or bridge, whereby an electrically-propelledvehicle may :recei ve current while being transferredby thetu-rn-tableor bridge.

2. In an electricrailway, the combination of a main line and one or morebranch tracks, each provided with an electric conductorparallel to andindependent of the track-rails, a centrally-pivoted turn -table orbridge arranged in the path of said'main line and provided withtrack-rails, and an electric con: ductor parallel to and independentofthe said rails, and-a conductor 'to supply electric current from theconductors of the main lineand branch tracks to the conductor ofthe'turntable or bridge, whereby an electrically-propelled vehicle mayreceive current while being transferred by the turn-table orbridge.

In an electric railway, the combination of a main line and one or morebranch tracks, each provided with two electric working conductorsindependent of the track-rails, a turntable arranged in the path of saidmain line and provided with rails and working electric conductorsindependent of the 'track-rai'ls'to supply electricity to the motor when011 said turn-table, a source of electrical supply, and a commutator orswitch device to changethe direction of the electric currents in thework-' ing conductors 'on the switch or turn table when it makes a givenportion of arevolution. at. In an electric railway, the combination of amain line and one or more branch'tracks, each provided with an electricconductor parallel to and independent of the track-rails, a centrallypivoted turn table or bridge arranged in the path of said mainline andprovided with track-rails, and an electricconductor parallel to andindependent of the said rails, an electric circuit between theconductors of the main-line turn-table or bridge, and a commutator orsliding connection in the said circuit and operated by the turn-tablefor maintaining the continuity of the circuit while permitting theturn-table or bridge to be shifted.

5. In a railway, the main track, in combination with a turn-table orbridge having working conductors, an electric motor to, rotate saidturn-table or bridge, a commutator device to reverse the direction ofthe current in the working conductors of the turn-table or bridge uponits being turn ed, line conductors arranged along the main track, asource of electric supply, and connections between the source of supplyand conductors of the main track and turn-table or bridge.

(5. In an electric railway, the combination of a main line and one ormore branch tracks, each provided with two electric working conductors,a turn-table or bridge arranged in the path of said main line andprovided with working electric conductors to supply electricity to themotor when on said turn-table or bridge, a commutator device forreversing the current in the working conductors on the turn-table whenturned around, an electric motor to rotate said turn-table orbridge, anda motor-circuit connected to the two main-line working conductors at ornear the turn-table or bridge.

7. The combination of an electric railway having supporting-rails and aconductor parallel therewith, a branch railway having alsosupporting-rails and a conductor, an electric locomotive making contactwith said conductor, and means consisting of movable tracks andconductors centrally pivoted and adapted to turn about said pivot forswitching the locomotive from the main to the branch track whilemaintaining the electric connections.

8. The combination of a pivot-bridge or turn-table over a water-way, acentral pier therefor, a main-line conductor extending to the bridge orturn-table on each side of the water-way, a working conductor on thebridge or turn-table, and an electric circuit connecting the conductoron the bridge or turn-table with the main-line conductors and extendingdown at the pier and under the water-way.

9. The combination of a pivot-bridge or turn-table over a water-way, acentral pier therefor, a positive and negative main-line Workin gconductor extending to the bridge or turn-table and on each side of thewater-way,

a positive and negative working conductor on said bridge or turn-table,electric circuits between said main-line conductors and bridge orturn-table conductors and extending below the water-way, and acommutator device to reverse the current in the conductors on the bridgeor turn-table when turned end for end.

10. The combination of a pivot-bridge or turn-table over a waterway, acentral pier therefor, a positive and negative main-line workingconductor extending to the bridge or turn-table and on each side of thewater-way, a positive and negative working conductor on said bridge orturn-table, an electric circuit connecting two of the main-lineconductors of like polarity passing below the water-way, electriccircuits connecting the other mainline conductors with the two workingconductors on the bridge or turn-table and passing below the water-wayand up by the pier, a commutator device to reverse the current in theconductors on the bridge or turn-table upon its being turned end forend, and an automatic electric switch to electrically connect ordisconnect the positive and negative working conductors on the bridge orturntable.

11. A pivot-bridge or turn-table over a water-Way and having a centralpier, in combination with an electric circuit on said bridge orturn-table, a main-line circuit, and a connecting-circuit connecting themain line and bridge or turn-table circuit and extending under thewater-way, so as to allow the bridge or turn-table to be turned withoutinterfering with the electric circuit or with the passage of vessels.

12. The combination of a main-line and branch track, each having apositive and negative working conductor electrically independent of therails, a turn-table at the juncture of said main line and branch andhaving corresponding positive and negative working conductorselectrically independent of the rails, and connecting-circuits forconnecting all of the working-conductors of like polarity in parallel.

13. A rotary turn-table or bridge having a slotted conduit, positive andnegative working conductors within and insulated from said conduit,positive and negative supply-conductors connecting with said workingconductors, and a commutator device to reverse the current fed to theworking conductors upon turning the turn-table or bridge.

14.. In an electric railway, the combination of a main track, a conduitarranged along the track, a conductor arranged within the conduit, acentrally-pivoted turn-table or bridge, a conduit on said turn-table orbridge, and an electric conductor within said conduit of the turn-tableor bridge.

15. In an electric railway, the combination of a main track, a conduitarranged along the track, a conductor arranged within the conduit, acentrally-pivoted turn-table or bridge, a conduit on said turn-table orbridge, an electric conductor within said conduit of the turn-table orbridge, and electric connections between the conductor of the main trackand conductor on the turn-table or bridge.

16. In an electric railway, the combination of a centrally-pivotedturn-table or bridge, the main-line conduit and conductor extendingalong the main track, a section of conduit on the turn-table, a baredconductor in said 7 section of conduit in substantial alignment ductorextending along'the main track, a turn- I table or bridge having asection of track, a conductor extending along the track of theturn-table or bridge, an electric motor to'rotate the turn-table orbridge, a circuit including themotor and receiving current from themain-track conductor, and a switch for con- 7 trolling the currentdelivered to the motor without interrupting the supply of current to theconductor along the main track.

19. The combination of a main track, a conductor extending along themain track, a turntable or bridge having a section of track, a conductorextending along the track of the turn-table or bridge, an electric motorto rotate the turn-table'or bridge,a circuit including the motor andreceiving current from the main-track conductor, and means to controlthe current in the motor-circuitindependently of the current in theconductor on the turntable or bridge.

20. A turn-table or bridge, combined with an electric motor to rotateit, stationary source of electric energy, circuits leading from thesource of supply and including'the motor, and a switch to control thecurrent flowing through the motor.

21. A turn-table or bridge made with a circular portion and having acurved rack, a stationary electric motor,a pinion on the motor shaft foroperating the rack, a stationary source of electric energy, circuits forsupplying current to the motor, and a switch to control the operation ofthe motor.

In testimony of which invention I hereunto set my hand.

RUDOLPH M. HUNT-ER.

\Vitnesses:

E. M. BRECKINREED, ERNEST HOWARD HUNTER.

